Black Professionals Face Disproportionate Impact From Sudden Layoffs

By Laura Onyeneho

Nnenna Anosike once worked at the top echelon of pharmaceutical research, where high-stakes clinical trials were her daily currency. 

For six years, the work was so stable that she never had to apply for a job; recruiters always sought her out. Earlier this year, after nine months of unemployment, her reality involved navigating the anxieties of dropping off food deliveries for DoorDash, while the high salary she once enjoyed ran dry.

Anosike’s abrupt transition from a clinical research associate to a gig worker is the human face of a sudden, brutal layoff crisis that disproportionately impacts Black professionals nationwide.

The financial loss was preceded by severe physical and psychological strain. The first red flags at her former employer, which she noted was struggling with contract losses and legal troubles, appeared when a wave of superiors was laid off. 

The situation escalated when she was transitioned to a new department with an impossibly heavy workload, a tactic often referred to as “quiet firing.” She was assigned more than 50 clinical sites across eight study protocols, far exceeding the industry standard of 15 sites and two protocols.

“Everybody just had an extremely large load of work,” she said. “Soon after that, you would see those people either being let go or those people resigning abruptly.”

The constant pressure took a severe physical toll. Anosike developed plantar fasciitis in her right foot, and, more alarmingly, pulsatile tinnitus —a condition in which she can hear her own heartbeat in her right ear. The stress resulted in chronic anxiety, for which she now takes medication. 

The final layoff meeting, disguised as a “weekly check-in” via Microsoft Teams, came as no surprise. An HR representative was present, confirming her fate. Anosike received no severance pay and immediately entered survival mode to attend to personal and financial responsibilities, including enrolling in online courses to pursue certifications in Python and Project Management.

A Systemic Crisis 

Between February and June 2025, an alarming 318,000 jobs held by Black women were eliminated in the U.S., driving the African American unemployment rate to soar from 6% to 7.5%. Experts point to the chilling effect of mass layoffs across corporate giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel, coupled with broader systemic shifts, including federal workforce cuts, that uniquely harm Black workers.

Kyra Rènel Hardwick, an award-winning business strategist and CEO of The Kyra Company, insists that managing the internal shock is the first step toward regaining control. She frames a layoff as a “transition” and a “bridge,” a temporary event leading to the next stage, and offers a three-step mental strategy for the first 30 days:

1. Reestablish self-esteem: Do not internalize the job loss as a reflection of skill or worth. Reiterate that the layoff is a circumstance beyond personal control.
2. Create psychological safety: Maintain positive self-talk and communicate honestly with your support system (family, friends, partner) about your feelings and plans.
3. Establish a plan (Take five days): Grant yourself at least five days to process before jumping into frantic action. Use this time to establish control through routine.

Hardwick leveraged a nine-month career gap to build her current system, having been laid off from her corporate role before transitioning into entrepreneurship.

“I kept a calendar, a morning, midday, and evening routine. I still got fully dressed every day,” she said. “This regimented schedule prevented idle time and negative mental loops.”

She still got fully dressed every day. This regimented schedule, including designated hours for job applications, resume fine-tuning, and networking, kept her on her toes for when the opportunity arose.

The wave of corporate restructuring driven by AI and automation confirms that job loss is less about individual performance and more about industry restructuring, demanding a strategic pivot.

Esther Olubi is the director of people at Black On The Job, a platform that helps Black professionals build six-figure careers with expert coaching, resume services, and career strategies to level up success.

She said that her community members, or “Bees,” are seeking “confidence coaching” and a strategy to move from obsolete roles into in-demand skills. Olubi states that many professionals, particularly those affected by cuts to the federal workforce, are now facing acute fear about transitioning back to the corporate world.

Black On The Job has shifted its focus from “job searching” to “career strategy.” 

• Leverage certifications: Olubi encourages utilizing the broader availability of discounted or free programs in trades like plumbing, electrical work, or nursing to build a resilient skill stack.
• Skills are translatable: Olubi insists that professionals should “Note everything you’ve done down,” focusing on quantifiable metrics and achievements rather than outdated job descriptions.
• Advocate for development in severance: Olubi advises professionals to request career development services (like coaching or courses) as part of their severance package, arguing, “If they’re letting you out, they are responsible for getting you back in the door.”
• Find guided career advice and community: “It’s okay not to be able to go at this alone,” Olubi insists. Find tested and trusted expert communities that offer strategy specific to your demographic and current market needs.

Anosike launched a consulting company and utilized SNAP benefits and family support. The experience has led to a firm decision against returning to the “dehumanizing” clinical research field. 

The collective wisdom distilled from these experiences motivated her to prioritize wellness, secure necessary support, and pivot with aggressive intention. 

“Take some time to get some good rest, work on your diet, hop in the gym because you’re going to need your strength to do everything that you need to do,” Anosike said. By focusing on wellness and intentional upskilling, professionals can convert a moment of crisis into a strategic opportunity.”

This story was originally published on Word In Black on November 14th, 2025

The post {{post title}}, https://wordinblack.com/2025/11/got-laid-off-what-you-should-do-next/ appeared first on Word in Black.